Stars shine brightly in ‘A’championships

In the midst of his training for his freshman season at North Carolina State, North Penn grad Jason Deana managed to win three individual events, swim on a gold-medal relay and also set a meet record at Saturday afternoon’s Bux-Mont A Championships.

Deana’s performance stood out in a meet loaded with star power, as local competitors put forth some tremendous efforts on a scorching afternoon at the Towamencin pool.

“My times were OK — they weren’t anywhere near my best, but I was happy with them,” Deana said. “This was kind of like a dual meet — I’m not going to be rested for it, so you just go out there and see what you can do.”

DHDND WOON fiRVW LN WKH 6HNLOR 100-yDRG EuWWHRfly, WOuFKing in 53.85 seconds, then won the 100 backstroke in 56.13, and capped it off by setting a meet record in the 100 freestyle with a time of 48.34. The Nor-Gwyn standout also swam the third leg of the 200 medley relay, joining Eric Schultz, Harrison Schultz and Steven McFarland to win the trophy in 1:42.84.

“I’ve been here 12 years,” Deana said, “so this was fun. This was a good way to end it.”

Deana, a PIAA state champion in the 100-yard freestyle this past year, has been making sure he’s in peak form when he heads down south in the fall.

Deana will specialize in the 50 and 100 freestyle for the Wolfpack and also work ON WKH 100 EuWWHRfly DNG 200 freestyle. He might even sneak onto a few relays.

“I want to be a three-event kind of guy,” he said.

Versatility was an attribute in abundance Saturday at Towamencin.

Claudia Thamm of HatfiHOG wDV uNEHDWDEOH LN WKH 9-10 25 freestyle, breastVWRONH DNG EuWWHRfly, DNG Sean Faikish of Lansdale was a record setter, taking top honors in the freestyle, EDFNVWRONH DNG EuWWHRfly.

Olympic trials hero Allie Szekely was back in town for Fanny Chapman, dominating the 13-14 backstroke, EuWWHRfly DNG ERHDVWVWRONH. League champion Fanny Chapman was also thrilled with the performance of Jackson Green, a double winner in the 11-12 breast stroke and freestyle.

Pennridge cheered for Morgan Scott, who took home the trophies in the 11-12 50 freeVWyOH DNG 50 EuWWHRfly, wKLOH Souderton’s Spencer Nice was tops in the 11-12 backVWRONH DNG EuWWHRfly.

Host Towamencin had plenty of solid performances, including those by Leon Lin, champion in the 13-14 IRHHVWyOH DNG EuWWHRfly.